Having been in opposition for much of her political career, Mowlam sums up what, for her, is most important for women in politics: the real power you hold when you are in government and the ability that gives to make a difference to people's lives..

"I had a woman in her late 70s come in as a pensioner, put down her pension book, put down her electricity bill and say I can't pay this, what are you going do. And in opposition I could do absolutely nothing, I could be understanding, I could be sympathetic, I could put my arm around her but couldn't do anything. In government we have had the chance to achieve change and ... in that sense it's her that I think about because her voice …won't be heard and its the job of politicians to make sure that those voices are listened to and acted upon."